Waterfowl call display

ABSTRACT

A selectable display system for use with various fowl water calls is disclosed. The selectable display system allows the user to select and modify the display system to engage with different waterfowl call devices, having different sized ends and or different display orientations with an insert pin having an inner hollow end which engages with a standard sized fixed pin engaged with the display board. The creation and use of a database containing waterfowl call manufacturers barrel and insert sizes to record and organize Bar-Ins™ pin sizes for most waterfowl calls enables proper pin selection, production and distribution per the customer&#39;s request. A kit having a number of Bar-Ins™ pins, having a plurality of diameters and heights therein for engagement with a plurality of waterfowl calls may also be assembled to allow selection of a Bar-Ins™ pin for best display of the waterfowl calls.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from provisional utility patentapplication No. 60,775,083 filed Feb. 20, 2006 and incorporated byreference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a selectable display system for usewith various waterfowl calls. More specifically, the selectable displaysystem allows the user to select and modify the display system to engagewith different waterfowl call devices, having different sized ends andor different display orientations through use of a novel barrel insertpin system.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

No federal funds were used to develop or create the invention disclosedand described in the patent application.

REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISK APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Various waterfowl calls have long been utilized by those skilled in theart as an aid, for example, to duck and goose hunters. Some examples ofprior art waterfowl call devices are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 742,680;2,518,616; 2,711,614; 2,729,025; 2,969,611; 3,054,216; 3,466,794 and3,802,120. Other U.S. Pat. Nos. of general interest with respect to thesubject matter of this invention include U.S. Pat. Nos. 853,148;2,096,872; 3,208,161; 3,487,741; 4,207,703 and 6,413,139. The foregoingpatents are incorporated by reference herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of waterfowl call displays of the priorart.

FIG. 2 illustrates another example of waterfowl call displays of theprior art.

FIG. 3 highlights the pegs of the prior art for engagement with thewaterfowl calls.

FIG. 4 illustrates a single Bar-ins™ pin engaged with a fixed diameterdisplay pin.

FIG. 5A shows multiple waterfowl calls with Bar-Ins™ pins disassembled.

FIG. 5B shows a plurality of assembled Bar-Ins™ pins engaged withwaterfowl calls.

FIG. 6 shows a finished display case with only the fixed diameter pinsshown.

FIG. 7 shows a finished display case implementing the Bar-ins™ pins.

FIG. 8 illustrates an exemplary waterfowl call available in the marketand for use with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION—ELEMENT LISTING

Element Description Element Number Display 1 Fixed Diameter Display Pins2 Bar-Ins ™ Pin 3 Waterfowl Call 4 Waterfowl Call Insert End 5 Innerwall of Insert End 6 Outer wall of Insert End 7 Waterfowl Call BarrelEnd 8 Inner wall of Barrel End 9 Outer wall of Barrel End 10 WaterfowlCall Graphics 11

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In overview, the present invention provides for a display system whichallows for engagement with, and display of, multiple waterfowl callsthrough use of a bar-ins pin. Waterfowl calls are also known as a “duck”or “goose” calls. For brevity, the call will be called a “waterfowlcall.” Waterfowl calls have been used to lure ducks and geese since thebeginning of hunting these elusive migratory birds. Throughout theyears, hundreds of hunters as well as artists have designed, built, andsold millions of waterfowl calls. These calls come in a multitude ofshapes, colors and sizes as well as being made from numerous materials.

Typically, waterfowl calls have two ends. The first end is called thebarrel. The opposite end of the call is called the insert. As producedtoday, waterfowl calls are part science, part technology and part art.Variations in the diameter and or length of the barrel end incombination with variations in the diameter and or length of the insertend of the waterfowl call in combination with different reeds, producevariations in the sound produced by the waterfowl call. Becausedifferent sounds attract different waterfowl, in different regions orseasons, a single hunter may collect hundreds of waterfowl calls to bestaccomplish his goal of attracting waterfowl through use of a waterfowlcall. Typically the production of a waterfowl call involvescraftsmanship that is not only functional, but aesthetically pleasing tothe eye. Accordingly, a waterfowl hunter with a large collection ofwaterfowl calls has need to display his or her collection of waterfowlcalls for his or her own personal enjoyment as well as those that mayshare an interest in hobby. This interest has been further increasedthrough marketing wherein the waterfowl call has a unique, interestingor visually stimulating logo. Those that craft waterfowl calls as wellas those who own waterfowl calls, therefore take great pride in thedisplay of a waterfowl call collection. The waterfowl call display maybe equated to the duck hunter's jewelry box.

The function of a waterfowl call is first to generate sounds to attractwaterfowl. The end sound to be produced by waterfowl call many timeswill then dictate the final form of the waterfowl call. Accordingly,because form follows function, a waterfowl call producer is less worriedabout the display of the waterfowl call display than how it sounds.Thus, there is no standard end or size chosen for which to engage thewaterfowl call with the display.

FIG. 1 illustrates one example of waterfowl call displays of the priorart. Typically these display systems have a fixed display pin attachedto the display board (A). The display peg (B), which engages with theinside wall of either end of the waterfowl call (which are defined belowas the insert end 5 and the barrel end 8; shown in detail at FIG. 8), ischosen to fit either end of an average size waterfowl call. The displaypin many times is simply a dowel pin or a machined round wooden plug.Many times the dowel pin or wooden plug is fixed to the display board.As shown at FIG. 2, the peg (B) of the prior art has been removed fromthe display board (A) to show the drilled hole (C) in which the peg (B)is to be inserted.

FIG. 3 illustrates another version of the prior art display systems andboards, wherein the pegs have a different shape and larger diameter thanthe display shown at FIG. 1. Neither system allows for selection ormodification of pin or peg size for custom or different sized waterfowlcalls having different internal diameters or dimensions. The largevariation in waterfowl designs and display orientations combined withthe prior art teaching only a single fixed diameter peg or pin forengagement with the waterfowl call limits proper display of waterfowlcalls as particularly related to adjacent arrangement and properorientation of unique and varied waterfowl call designs.

FIG. 4 illustrates a single bar-ins™ pin 3 engaged with a fixed diameterpin 2. The bar-ins™ pin 3 and fixed diameter board pin 2 may bemanufactured from a number of materials including plastic, aluminum andwood. In the preferred embodiment, both parts are manufactured fromDelrin™ plastic which is strong, rigid and easily machined.

FIG. 5A illustrates a simple embodiment of a display 1 implementingBar-Ins™ pins 3 having different heights and diameters for engagementwith waterfowl calls 4 that may be interchanged to allow any waterfowlcall 4 to be displayed side by side with a simple change of the Bar-Ins™pin 3. As shown in FIG. 5A, the Bar-Ins™ pin 3 may be engaged ordisengaged from the fixed diameter pins 2 which are inserted in thedisplay 1. Because the Bar-Ins pin 3 may be produced in an assortment ofouter diameters and heights for inserted engagement with the fixeddiameter pins 2, the fixed diameter pins 2 and Bar-Ins pins 3 are onepossible embodiment of a fixed diameter means and a variable diametermeans, respectively, that may be used with the display as recited in theclaims.

As shown in FIG. 5A, the Bar-Ins™ pin 3 may be engaged or disengagedfrom the fixed diameter board pins 2 which are inserted in the displayboard 1. Although the generally vertical orientation and display of thewaterfowl calls is preferred by collectors and enthusiasts, the presentdisclosure is not so limited and the display surface may be of avertical or horizontal orientation. The display as shown is one possibleembodiment of a display means that may be used with the bar-ins pins asrecited in the claims.

FIG. 5B illustrates how the embodiment shown in FIG. 5A can be engagedwith the fixed diameter board pins 2. As shown, the display board 1implementing Bar-Ins™ pins 3 having different heights and diameters forengagement with waterfowl calls 4 that may be interchanged to allow anywaterfowl call 4 to be displayed side by side with the simple change ofthe Bar-Ins™ pin 3.

FIG. 6 shows a finished display case 1 with only the fixed diameter pins2 shown. FIG. 7 shows a finished display case implementing the Bar-Ins™pins 3.

FIG. 8 better illustrates a single finished waterfowl call 4 having afirst end 5 and a second end 8. The first end (insert) 5 of thewaterfowl call 4 is essentially composed of an outer wall surface 7surrounding a hollow air inlet chamber having an inner wall surface 6.The second end of the waterfowl call may be referred to as the barrelend 8 and is essentially composed of an outer wall surface 10surrounding a hollow sound chamber having an inner barrel wall surface9. It is preferred by waterfowl call owners that the waterfowl call 4 bedisplayed with waterfowl call graphic 11 orientated so the graphic maybe read by admirers. The present invention allows selection of a Bar-Inspin 3 which may be inserted into either the insert or barrel end, 5 and8, respectively, of the waterfowl call 4 thereby always allowing thewaterfowl call 4 to be properly orientated with the waterfowl graphic 11readable during display.

Although not shown, it is contemplated within this disclosure and aspart of this invention the creation and use of a database containingwaterfowl call manufacturers barrel and insert sizes to record andorganize Bar-Ins™ pin sizes for most waterfowl calls 4, and will enableproper pin selection, production and distribution per the customer'srequest. Furthermore, this invention may be practiced by selling awaterfowl call display case having fixed display pins 2 fixed thereinalong with a kit having a number of Bar-Ins™ pins, having a plurality ofdiameters and heights therein for engagement with a plurality ofwaterfowl calls 4. The customer may choose a Bar-Ins™ pin kit that isbest for the waterfowl calls, which the customer may currently possessor be about to purchase.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structuresembodying the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the artthat various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be madewithout departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventiveconcept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms hereinshown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of theappended claims.

1. A waterfowl call display apparatus comprising: a. a display having ahorizontal display surface; b. a plurality of fixed diameter board pinsengaged with said horizontal display surface of said display; c. atleast one bar-ins pin having a first end sized for coupled engagementwith at least one of said fixed diameter board pins and wherein saidsecond end of said bar-ins pin is sized for coupled engagement with awaterfowl call.
 2. The waterfowl call display according to claim 1wherein said second end of said bar-ins pin is sized for coupledengagement with the insert end of a waterfowl call for display of saidwaterfowl call.
 3. The waterfowl call display according to claim 1wherein said second end of said bar-ins pin is sized for coupledengagement with the barrel end of a waterfowl call for display of saidwaterfowl call.
 4. The waterfowl call display according to claim 1wherein the diameters of said barrel end and said insert end of saidwaterfowl call are not equal.
 5. The waterfowl call display according toclaim 1 wherein said fixed diameter pin may be decoupled from saidwaterfowl call display.
 6. The waterfowl call display according to claim1 wherein a plurality of waterfowl calls may be displayed.
 7. Thewaterfowl call display according to claim 6 wherein the barrel end of afirst waterfowl call is engaged with a first bar-ins pin adjacent asecond waterfowl call wherein the insert end of said second waterfowlcall is engaged with a second bar-ins pin.
 8. The waterfowl call displayaccording to claim 6 wherein the barrel end of a first waterfowl call isengaged with a first bar-ins pin adjacent a second waterfowl callwherein the barrel end of said second waterfowl call is engaged with asecond bar-ins pin.
 9. The waterfowl call display according to claim 1wherein the outer diameter of the second end of said bar-ins pin isselected from a database associating the internal diameter of the barrelend of said waterfowl call with the associated manufacturer of saidwaterfowl call.
 10. The waterfowl call display according to claim 1wherein the outer diameter of the second end of said bar-ins pin isselected from a database associating the internal diameter of the insertend of said waterfowl call with the associated manufacturer of saidwaterfowl call.
 11. The waterfowl call display according to claim 1wherein said bar-ins pin is comprised of a material selected from thegroup consisting of plastic, Delrin™ plastic, aluminum, steel, wood andcombinations thereof.
 12. A waterfowl call display means comprising: a.a display means having a display surface; b. a plurality of fixeddiameter board means engaged with said display surface of said displaymeans; c. at least one variable diameter means having a first end sizedfor coupled engagement with at least one of said fixed diameter boardmeans and wherein said second end of said variable diameter means issized for coupled engagement with a waterfowl call.
 13. The waterfowlcall display means according to claim 12 wherein said second end of saidvariable diameter means are sized for coupled engagement with awaterfowl call for proper orientation and display of said waterfowlcall.
 14. The waterfowl call display means according to claim 12 whereinsaid second end of said variable diameter means are sized for coupledengagement with the insert end of a waterfowl call for display of saidwaterfowl call.
 15. The waterfowl call display means according to claim12 wherein said the size of the second end of said variable diametermeans is selected to allow coupled engagement with the barrel end of awaterfowl call for display of said waterfowl call.
 16. The waterfowlcall display means according to claim 12 wherein the diameters of saidbarrel end and said insert end of said waterfowl call are not equal. 17.The waterfowl call display means according to claim 13 wherein thediameters of said barrel end and said insert end of said waterfowl callare not equal.
 18. The waterfowl call display means according to claim12 wherein said fixed diameter pin means may be decoupled from saidwaterfowl call display.
 19. The waterfowl call display means accordingto claim 12 wherein a plurality of waterfowl calls may be displayed. 20.The waterfowl call display means according to claim 19 wherein thebarrel end of a first waterfowl call is engaged with a first variablediameter means adjacent a second waterfowl call wherein the insert endof said second waterfowl call is engaged with a second variable diametermeans.
 21. The waterfowl call display means according to claim 17wherein the barrel end of a first waterfowl call is engaged with avariable diameter means adjacent a second waterfowl call wherein thebarrel end of said second waterfowl call is engaged with a secondvariable diameter means.
 22. The waterfowl call display according toclaim 12 wherein the external dimensions of the second end of saidvariable diameter means are selected from a database associating theinternal dimensions of the barrel end of said waterfowl call with theassociated manufacturer of said waterfowl call.
 23. The waterfowl calldisplay according to claim 12 wherein the external dimensions of thesecond end of said variable diameter means bar-ins pin are selected froma database associating the internal dimensions of the insert end, theinternal dimensions of the barrel end and or the proper orientation ofsaid waterfowl call with the associated manufacturer of said waterfowlcall.
 24. A combination of cooperating elements offered as a kit fordisplaying waterfowl calls comprising: a. a waterfowl call display casehaving fixed diameter pins coupled therein; b. a plurality of Bar-Ins™pins, said Bar-Ins™ pins having a plurality of diameters and heightstherein for engagement with a plurality of waterfowl calls which whencoupled to said fixed diameter pins allow for proper orientation anddisplay of said waterfowl calls.
 25. The combination of cooperatingelements offered as a kit for displaying waterfowl calls according toclaim 23 wherein the exterior size of said bar-ins pins is determinedfrom a database associating the internal dimensions of the insert end,the barrel end and or the proper orientation of said waterfowl call withthe associated manufacturer of said waterfowl call.